Council creates lobbying role

Former politician Kelvin Thomson has taken up an advocacy position with Brimbank council.

Mr Thomson served in state Parliament from 1988 to 1994, and spent more than 20 years in federal Parliament after being elected in 1996. He retired from politics following the 2016 federal election and took up a position as a campaign manager with the Alliance for Gambling Reform.

He has accepted a position at Brimbank council as an advocacy strategist, a new position within the council.

The alliance said in a Facebook post they were sad to lose Mr Thompson, but that he had made a strong contribution in his time there.

“We’ve been incredibly fortunate to have Kelvin Thomson as our campaign manager,” the post stated.

“He’s made an enormous contribution to the alliance but now will be moving on to Brimbank City Council. Our loss is their gain and we’re looking forward to working alongside Kelvin into the future.”

The position description for Mr Thomson’s new role said he will “assist council drive its important advocacy agenda on a range of critical issues affecting the Brimbank community” and he “will work across the organisation and with local partners to develop advocacy campaigns and related activities”.

Mr Thomson started his new role this week.